Every child should have the opportunity to: play in a safe place, explore nature, learn to swim, go fishing, follow a trail, camp under the stars, ride a bike, go boating, connect with the past, and plant a seed.

Develops strategies for coastal infrastructure protection. Assesses the economic impact of sea-level rise on California beaches. Provides grants to public entities to plan, design and restore public beaches.

Any person who owns or manages a reservoir that is open to the public and is not currently infested with the Dreissenid Mussel may apply for grants to be reimbursed for costs related to an infestation prevention program.

Less Toxic Products

Whether you clean your boat in the water or on land, boat cleaning
products may end up in your local waterway. The products you purchase
to clean and maintain your boat can have an adverse effect on aquatic
life, water quality and human health. Many boat cleaning and
maintenance products contain chemicals that are poisonous, corrosive,
flammable and/or chemically reactive.

When you purchase boat cleaning
products, take time to read the label. A signal word, such as
“danger/poison,” “warning,” or “caution” can give you a general
indication of the toxicity of a product. If you want more information
on a product’s contents, ask your retailer or contact the manufacturer
for the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS). The MSDS will list any
constituents considered to be hazardous substances by the federal
government. .” Avoid products with ingredients known to cause cancer or
reproductive harm as listed in California’s Proposition 65:
see a complete, updated Proposition 65 list.

If you decide to purchase a soap to clean your boat, choose
phosphate-free non-detergent soaps, such as vegetable or citrus-based soaps.

Check these Systems to Find Less Toxic, Less Volatile, More Biodegradable Products.

How to be a less toxic consumer:

Reduce your use of toxic cleaning products:

Use elbow grease instead!

Use less toxic alternatives whenever possible.

Buy only the amount that you need.

Properly handle and store materials.

Dispose of hazardous waste legally and safely.

Call (800) CLEANUP for the locations of used oil recycling and
hazardous waste disposal facilities.

Alternatives to Traditional Cleaning Products

You can minimize environmental impacts by using the following simple
household alternatives to harmful products:

Product

Household Alternative

General cleaner

Mix baking soda and vinegar.

Combine lemon juice with borax paste.

Dissolve baking soda in hot water for a general cleaner.

Surface cleaner

Mix 1 quart of hot water, 1 tsp. vegetable oil-based soap/detergent, 1 tsp. borax and 2 tbsp. vinegar. Vinegar is used as a mild acid to cut grease, borax is used as a water softener, especially good with hard water, to prevent soapy deposits.

Mix 1 cup of vinegar in 1 quart of warm water.

Degreaser

Make a paste of lemon juice and borax.

When shopping for degreasing products, look for water-based products or citrus-based degreasers.

*While baking soda, vinegar, lemon juice, and vegetable oils are far less
harmful than bleaches, scouring powders and detergents, they can still be toxic
to aquatic life. Use all cleaning products sparingly and minimize the amount
discharged into the water. Never dispose of any cleaning products down the
thru-hull drain; dispose of them on shore!

These alternatives have not been tested by either the California Coastal Commission or the California Division of Boating and Waterways. They are offered as suggestions. The sources that were relied upon to develop these suggestions are cited below.

Center for Marine Conservation, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, “Tips to Keep Your Boat in Top Shape.”